Manual Therapy by True North in Huntsville, AL

Manual Therapy

A manual Physical Therapist uses skilled, therapeutic touch to facilitate your body’s healing process. It combines intuitive touch with anatomical knowledge, and it works bi-directionally assisting the therapist and the client.

The therapist using hands-on approaches gains instantaneous information concerning the client’s body systems including: fascial restrictions, muscle tensions, joint restrictions, postural holding patterns, inflammatory processes, lymphatic congestions, respiratory patterns, visceral patterns and cranial rhythms. This information is vital as it is used by your therapist to determine primary problem areas, and helps discern root cause from symptoms. It also helps the therapist understand the clients system tolerance for pace of work allowing the most beneficial outcome.

Cranial-Sacral Therapy

A gentle, non-invasive hands-on approach developed within the field of osteopathic medicine, and furthered through DR John Upledger, D.O. The practice of Cranial Sacral Therapy requires an understanding of anatomy, embryologic growth development and body system movements. This manual technique provides a means of assessing and treating the body system related to the cerebrospinal circulation and the delicate membranes of the brain and spinal cord, and addresses the bones of the head, spinal column, and sacrum. These techniques assist systemic alignment, release restrictions from the sacrum to the cranium, enhancing the function of the central nervous system. By supporting the body’s innate ability to heal itself, this therapy is effective for a wide range of medical problems. It often has marked positive affects on post concussion problems, birth trauma, and is extremely beneficial in cases of chronic illness or pain.

Visceral Manipulation

A hands-on technique developed by DR Jean-Pierre Barral D.O. requiring foundation in anatomy and physiology of internal organs. This practice evaluates and treats fascial restrictions and unhealthy compensations of and around internal organs. These restrictions may impair an organs natural movement and function causing pain, bloating and other problems. This hands on approach encourages return of normal movement and function of internal organs for whole body alignment and movement without pain. Abdominal restrictions and adhesions may develop following abdominal surgery, illness, car-accidents and whiplash, prolonged postural malalignment, radiation, chemotherapy, pregnancy, or illness. Visceral manipulation uses a detailed understanding of organ anatomy and integrated body systems to improve tissue balance around the organs and improve function.

Lymphatic Drainage Technique (LDT)

LDT is a gentle hands-on approach developed by DR Bruno Chikly. This technique requires understanding of anatomy and physiology of the Lymphatic system throughout the entire body to include organs and nervous system, and it addresses lymph, interstitial fluid and synovial fluid. The lymphatic system is our body’s natural filtration system cleansing our fluids from waste and debris including germs, toxins, chemicals, proteins and other foreign substances. Lymphatic vessels follow our circulatory system, but the network begins basically just under the skin moving deeper towards larger nodes and eventually drainiing into the heart, kidney and bowel. Because up to 70% of all lymphatic fluid can be accessed just below the skin at any given time, this hands on technique is able to move the lymphatic fluid. Lymphatic vessels use a tiny layer of muscle within the vessel lining to ‘push’ fluid through the network. LDT is accomplished through the gentle stretch of skin, pumping of nodes and organs. Lymphatic vessels respond to this gentle movement of skin, increasing the movement of water, waste and debris systemically. Lymphatic fluid movement can also be enhanced through deep exhalation exercises.

Testimonials

Caroline is very intelligent, as well as caring, compassionate, empathetic, and gentle, and she has a fabulous sense of humor. She listened to me, worked with me, and respected me. My appointments with her were not only a treatment, but also a treat. She really helped me, and my advice to anyone in pain should make an appointment with Caroline.

Our Mission at True North

The human body functions beautifully when health is expressed in body-mind-spirit. Our bodies want to work for us, and will heal themselves when possible. But life experiences, injury and illness can affect us creating pain, discomfort, weakness or fatigue. This is where I can help. It is my passion to help patients return to health through use of skilled, therapeutic touch and functional movement techniques.

I will listen to you, assist your movement and alignment, provide skilled manual therapy facilitating your bodies inherent desire to heal. Everyone has their optimal alignment of Body, MInd and Spirit…their own ‘True North’. My work helps your body find its way back to that best alignment. Let me help you find your TRUE NORTH.